DRS to provide power modules for the Air and Missile Defense Radar

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Navy has awarded DRS Power & Control Technologies $13.3 million for Arleigh Burke-class power conversion modules for Air and Missile Defense Radar production and support.

The contract, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, provides for up to 12 ship sets for the Arleigh Burke-class under the Flight III destroyer construction program for modernized versions of the vessels. The sets will provide power from the ship's electrical system. The program is expected to be completed by 2022.

The AMDR is meant as a major upgrade of the AN/SPY-6(V) radar currently in use on Arleigh Burkes. It is part of the Aegis Weapons System designed to network ship combat systems, as well as share information with other ships and command.

Aegis is a complete weapons system based off of the AN/SPY-1 phased array automated radar. It is capable of tracking more than 100 targets at once.

The command and decision element of its targeting system can interpret and prioritize incoming targets based on range and threat level.

The system is primarily used for targeting the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, which can launch surface-to-air missiles like the Standard-class and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The variants of the Standard can target everything from ballistic missiles and cruise missiles to aircraft and surface vessels. There are currently 84 U.S. Navy vessels equipped with the Aegis system, with more slated to come online.

The current upgrades are meant to help direct ballistic missile defense interceptors and provide greater targeting power for long-range surface-to-air missiles.